THE cost of looking after Scotland’s pensioners in their own homes has more than doubled in a decade to almost half-a-billion pounds.

Free personal care cost taxpayers £494million in 2013/14 compared to just £311million just a decade ago – with an original estimate of just £110million.

And last night, the Scottish Government was urged to review its flagship policy amid fears the country’s ageing population is making it unaffordable.

Take-up of the free service looks likely to continue to grow as ministers push for more older people to be cared for in their own homes, Fiscal Affairs Scotland warned. It said that the

average spend per pensioner increased from £5,400 in 2004-05 to around £7,600 by 2010-11 – the existing cost to the public purse.

But a further rise in costs could place the policy under strain, the think-tank added.

The report came amid warnings Scotland’s councils, which deliver the policy, face a £1billion financial black hole over the next three years.

It said: “The cost of providing support to help people stay in their own homes for longer is averaging around £7,600 per person per year.

“The ongoing affordability of the policy will be further tested if this per client cost rises.” Almost 48,000 pensioners received care at home in 2013/14, compared with 36,000 in 2004/05.

By 2035, the number of people over 65 is expected to increase by 26 per cent and over-75s by 82 per cent.

Free personal care was introduced in 2002 by the Labour-led Scottish Executive. Before then people could be charged when they received personal care services, such as help with washing, dressing and eating.

We supported the introduction of free personal care for the elderly and will continue to do so as long as it remains affordable.

Jackson Carlaw, Scottish Conservative health spokesman

Jackson Carlaw, Scottish Conservative health spokesman, said yesterday: “We supported the introduction of free personal care for the elderly and will continue to do so as long as it remains affordable.

“But the fact is, the cost is soaring, and that requires some attention. There is no use in having free personal care if the money to fund it ceases to exist.”

Earlier this year, David O’Neill, president of local authority umbrella group, Cosla, urged SNP ministers to reconsider the affordability of universal benefits.

He claimed that people who back universality are “behind the times” given severe cuts in public spending and widespread calls to close the gap between rich and poor.

Health Secretary Shona Robison last night defended the policy and said around 78,000 pensioners benefit.

She added: “We have increased the payments in line with inflation each year since 2008 by providing local government with additional funding to ensure the sustainability of this important policy.

“We are committed to increasing the health budget, which is now at a record level of over £12billion a year.”

Scottish Labour’s health spokeswoman, Jenny Marra said: “Our elderly deserve to live at home with dignity and respect.”